Starstruck

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. — Psalm 19:1-3

Last night I looked up at a clear, high-altitude Colorado sky and was taken aback. My Father placed every one of those stars in the sky and then called them all by name! And that is just the beginning of our Father’s handiwork. Beyond the Milky Way, there are many more galaxies, too many to count, all created and placed by our Father’s hand.

It makes me wonder what there could be in my life today, next week, or ever that is too big for my Father in Heaven to handle. The great God who set the stars in place surely wouldn’t have any trouble with the complications in my life.

As I look up, I am amazed that the One who did all this loves me. I will never understand what He saw in my beaten-down, messed-up life. But I happily accept the mystery of it all. He has chosen me to be His child. He has redeemed me with the precious blood of His one, sinless Son, Jesus. He has invited me to lay all my troubles at His feet. Words cannot express my gratitude. I am completely starstruck!

Prayer

Father, thank You for creating me in Your own image, demonstrating that You care for me more than You care for all the stars in the heavens. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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He Loves You Too Much

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. — Ezekiel 36:26

Our neighbor’s dog was a sweetheart and everyone in the neighborhood loved her. But she had a talent for getting out of the yard. One day, she managed to escape and was hit by a car, leaving her badly injured and lying in a ditch. We rushed to help her, but as so often happens with injured animals, she lashed out at us, growling, barking, and snapping. The dog’s owner wouldn’t take no for an answer though. He pushed past his dog’s hostile response and took care of her — because he loved her.

I have had times in my life when I was the one lying in the gutter, broken and hurting. God came to me there and pushed past my angry and hostile reactions — because He loves me. In spite of my restless behavior and my foolish protests, He stuck with me, healing, restoring, and changing me.

God has big plans for me, too big to leave me lying in the gutter, licking my own wounds. He had a plan to get me back on my feet and make me productive for His Kingdom. He’s given me a new heart and a new spirit, and He’ll never give up on me — because He loves me.

Prayer

Father, thank You for picking me up and putting me back on my feet. Thank You for loving me so much that You helped me even when I fought against Your loving care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Excerpted with permission from Celebrate Recovery Devotional by John Baker, Johnny Baker, and Mac Owens , copyright John Baker, Johnny Baker, and Mac Owens.

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Your Turn

God is so good to us! Almighty God who created everything beyond our comprehension chooses us to be His family. He will not let you go. He loves you! Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily